2024 Volvo XC60 Recharge Ultimate Plug-in Hybrid Review

Hot and fast are not usually words I use to describe a Volvo, but I’ll be darned if the 2025 XC60 Recharge Ultimate I’ve been in for a week isn’t both.  It’s been a while since I’ve had a Volvo SUV, although our Amy Plemons has reviewed many, so this was an extremely pleasant surprise.

My review vehicle is the top-of-the-line Ultimate and comes well-equipped with a lot of standard equipment including all-wheel drive.  Volvo has always been known for their safety, but they figured out that was not enough for Americans, we wanted power and good looks, too.  I have to say, the Swedish automaker figured it out very nicely.  This is the first Volvo ever I could see myself buying.

Exterior 

The exterior looks are fantastic.  The side picture of the XC60 is reminiscent of a BMW or perhaps a Benz.  21” wheels on a Volvo?  Never thought I would see that in my lifetime. 

 

 

It has big functional air vents in the front to feed the turbocharger, the Volvo signature grill, a sculpted hood, rear spoiler, and virtually everything is blacked out thanks to the Black Edition package.  I’ve had compliments on it all week.   

Powertrain

Under the hood is where it gets really interesting.  There sits a 2.0-liter Turbocharged inline 4-cylinder putting out 312-horses, but wait!  There’s more!  The 2.0 works in combination with two electrics motors that drive power to the rear wheels.  Together the end result is 455-horses and an astounding 523 pound-feet of torque.  The power plant is hooked to an 8-speed automatic tranny with shift paddles.

This is a plug-in hybrid, so you have choices when you choose your drive modes from the screen on center dash.  You can choose hybrid, power (my fav!), pure mode which preferences the electric motors and the 18.8 kWh battery, off-road, and constant all-wheel drive in case you decide to go off-roading.  Volvo says the electric range is 35 miles, but I actually got 37 miles out of it.  If you have a daily commute of less than 35 miles or so, you’ll never need to visit a gas station again.  If you want to go longer distances, total range on gas and battery is 560 miles.

Interior

Moving to the interior, it strikes you as luxurious the minute you open a door.  Heavily stitched and bolstered Nappa leather power heated and cooled seats look terrific and are so comfortable, plus they will massage you.  There are lumbar supports and a thigh extender for those on the tall side.  A terrific and colorful gauge cluster sits in front of you, and displays pertinent information, plus a large map of where you are and heading.  Look up and you’ll see a bright head-up display in the windshield that shows you your speed and recognizes traffic signs, including the speed limit.

 

Center dash is a 9” touchscreen that operates the Harmon Kardon sound system, with a large round speaker that sits on top of the dash, navigation, the Bluetooth for your cell phone, the car status, and the air conditioning.  You can change the settings which includes drive modes, the safety systems, and a lot of other functions.  The home screen at the bottom will let you access a host of apps including Apple CarPlay, the Google Assistant, air quality in the cabin, and a digital owner’s manual.  There is also a terrific rearview camera with cross-traffic alert.

The center console houses a beautiful crystal gear shifter, a knob to start and turn off the vehicle, a couple of cup holders, the electronic parking brake, a button to turn off the start/stop system, and a couple of USB ports.  Everything inside the driver and passenger area is neat, clean, luxurious, and well laid out.  Should the 9” screen that operates everything be bigger?  That is a personal preference, but for me, it seems fine.  You can look up and see a massive panoramic moon roof with a power sliding cover that comes standard on the Ultimate.

 

 

 

 

Back seat leg and head room is plentiful.  Rear occupants get heated seats, a couple of USBs, air vents, and a fold down armrest with cup holders.  The second row is equally as comfortable as the front seats are.  Cargo area is very large and accessed by a power liftgate.  There is a 12-volt power outlet in the back, you can lower the whole vehicle for ease of loading, and a storage area underneath that houses the charging cord.  If you fold down the rear seat, you can get 63-cubic feet of cargo and if you leave the seat up, you get a generous 29-cubic feet of cargo.

Safety 

On the safety front, you get blind spot monitoring with steering assistance, collision avoidance, oncoming traffic mitigation braking, driver alert warning, whiplash protection system in front, Pilot Assist system with adaptive cruise control, lane keeping assist, forward collision warning, and automatic unlocking after collision.

Options

Options include the climate package for $750, power tailgate for $200, air suspension and adaptive chassis for $1800, the amazing B&W stereo for $3200, and front massaging seats for $800.

Ride and Drive

The XC60 drives and handles great, much like a European sport SUV.  You can change the chassis settings for many of your preferences.  For instance, I like firm steering, but if you like it lighter, you can change that. 

Acceleration is insane when the hybrid batteries are charged, and even good when you are running on gas only.  Fuel economy is rated at 63 MPG-e when there is hybrid battery power, and 28 MPG combined once the hybrid battery is depleted.  The XC60 Recharge will tow 3,500 pounds.

What You'll Pay 

MSRP as equipped is $78,865 as equipped and super loaded.  That hit me as high initially, but the more I drove this SUV and experienced it, I came to the conclusion that by today’s standards, it is actually a good value, and it is an exceptional luxury fuel-efficient SUV.